Michael Jackson musical set for Broadway

A new stage show on the King of Pop’s life is coming to Broadway in about two years, according to major news and entertainment outlets. Michael Jackson’s story and the full catalogue of his musical hits are set to light up the Great White Way in 2020.

Excitingly, The Guardian reported that the untitled musical production will feature choreography by none other than Christopher Wheeldon, former Tony Award winner for An American in Paris! Playwright Lynn Nottage, who has achieved the Pulitzer Prize in Drama twice, will write the book for the musical. 

Much like the successful Carole King-centric musical Beautiful, the show will highlight hit songs from the singer’s large collection, such as “Thriller”, “The Way You Make Me Feel”, “Man in the Mirror”, “Beat It” and “Billy Jean”. 

This forthcoming Broadway musical will be next in an ever-growing lineage of stage productions dedicated to the pop icon. Thriller Live can be seen in London’s West End and it has previously toured internationally, like with this show in Sydney. Cirque du Soleil has produced the shows Michael Jackson One, which plays in Las Vegas, and Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour. Then there is the Michael Jackson tribute show, HIStory.

Many documentaries have also brought the singer’s story to the screen, such as the highly successful This Is It and Michael Jackson’s Journey From Motown to Off the Wall from Spike Lee.

Jackson, who died in 2009 after an overdose, was beloved the world over. The Michael Jackson Estate and Columbia Live Stage made the announcement for this new musical Tuesday. 

Photo: Thriller Live. Photo courtesy of AB Publicity.